Archive for June, 2011

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Trying to live apart from God is like a branch trying to survive apart from the vine. The branch was not created to exist from for itself, but to bear fruit for us to enjoy. And this can only happen if the branch stays connected to the vine for constant nourishment. Likewise, we were not created to follow our own desires, but to serve and enjoy Christ. And we can only do that if we stay connected moment by moment to him, who then empowers us for his service.

Pride and self-reliance is prized in this culture but it’s a stumbling block to a successful Christian life. We are told in our movies and songs to find the power within ourselves and to do it our way. But when I think I’m accomplishing something without God, I need to remind myself that I am doing it with a body he built for me, which is nourished by food he supplies. I wouldn’t even last more than a few minutes without the air from the atmosphere he created.

Living for God may sound like slavery, but it’s actually joining a cause that enables you to excel at what you were made to do. Watching God do supernatural things through you is exciting, and living out your purpose results in fulfillment and contentment.

Abiding in Christ should come natural to us; that’s how it started out in the Garden of Eden. But we all know what happened there. Ever since then the evil one has deceived and distracted us from our true purpose. The good news is that we can reconnect with our Creator. There are over 80 references in the Bible encouraging us to seek after God and stay close to him. But this is not easy and requires intentional devotion over self indulgence. Is it worth it? The apostle Paul thought so:

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. (Philippians 3: 8,10)

When we cling to the heavenly vine we have all that we need to weather the storms of life, enjoy the fruits of walking with Christ, and experience the privilege of sharing it with others.